Pumping apparatus for shear-sensitive fluids

ABSTRACT

Pumping systems for pumping shear-sensitive fluids between first and second reservoirs. In various embodiments, the pumping system may include a portable platform that supports at least one diaphragm pump thereon. The diaphragm pumps are arranged for fluid communication with first and second reservoirs. Valve arrangements may be provided that enable the shear-sensitive fluid to be pumped from a first reservoir to a second reservoir. In some embodiments, the valve arrangements enable the user to reverse the flow direction to enable the fluid to be pumped back out of the second reservoir into the first reservoir if too much fluid was initially transferred into the second reservoir. Other embodiments may employ a hand activated nozzle to discharge the pumped fluid.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to pumps and, moreparticularly, to portable assemblies with diaphragm pumps for pumpingshear-sensitive fluids.

BACKGROUND

A variety of different pumps are known for pumping fluid materials. Oneindustry that uses pumps for pumping shear-sensitive fluids is thebeverage industry. A “shear-sensitive fluid”, as used herein, means afluid that has one or more properties that may be changed or alteredwhen pumped through a pump that introduces a shearing action thereto.One type of fluid that falls within this category is wine. I believethat when wine is passed through a conventional piston pump or impellerpump, shearing forces can be detrimentally imparted to the wine whichcould alter the taste of the wine. For example, such undesirable forcesmay cause unwanted oxidation of the wine. Such problems are not limitedto the wine industry, however. For example, such piston andimpeller-type pumps are used throughout the beverage industry to pumpbeverage fluids such as milk, beer, soft drinks, fruit juices, fruitdrinks, sports drinks, etc.

Other problems are associated with the use of dedicated piping andpumping arrangements that cannot be readily moved between reservoirs.For example, large winery operations generally use dedicated pumps andpiping systems for pumping wine between containers during theaging/storing process or into tanker trucks or other transportablereservoirs. Smaller wineries, however, often cannot afford the largeinvestment of capital often associated with such dedicated systems. Suchoperations generally rely on the use of manually operated orelectrically operated hand pumps to pump the wine between containers.While hand pumps are readily portable and afford the user with a certainamount of flexibility, their use, particularly in the wine producingindustry, is fraught with problems and shortcomings.

For example, hand pumps commonly use a piston arrangement or an impellerarrangement to draw the fluid in through an inlet pipe and discharge itthrough an outlet pipe. Such pump arrangements can undesirably apply ashearing action to the wine. Other problems often experienced when usingportable hand pumps is that they are susceptible to spillage of winewhen they are introduced into the storage container or removed from suchcontainers. Such spillage can lead to molding and spoilage resulting inunhygienic conditions in the vicinity of the spill. If, during pumping,the user pumps too much wine from one container to another, the pumpmust be transferred from the first container to the second container andarranged to discharge the fluid from the second container back into thefirst container. Such manipulation of the hand pump requires more laborand time and can lead to undesirable contamination of the wine.

Thus, there is a need for a pumping system that can be effectively usedto pump shear-sensitive fluids that is readily portable and avoids thevarious problems discussed above associated with dedicated pumpingsystems and portable hand pumps.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect of an embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a pumping system for pumping shear-sensitive fluids betweenfirst and second reservoirs. In various embodiments, the pumping systemmay include a platform that has at least one diaphragm pump supportedthereon. The at least one diaphragm pump has a inlet port and an outletport. At least one valve assembly is in fluid communication with theinlet and outlet ports and the first and second reservoirs such thatwhen the valve assembly is actuated into a first position, theshear-sensitive fluid may be pumped by the at least one diaphragm pumpfrom the first reservoir into the second reservoir and when the valveassembly is actuated into a second position, the shear-sensitive fluidmay be pumped from the second reservoir into the first reservoir.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a pumping systemfor pumping shear-sensitive fluids between first and second reservoirs.In various embodiments, the pumping system may include a platform thathas first and second diaphragm pumps supported thereon. The firstdiaphragm pump has a first inlet port and a first outlet port. Thesecond diaphragm pump also has a second inlet port and a second outletport. An inlet manifold may be in fluid communication with the firstinlet port of said first diaphragm pump and the second inlet port of thesecond diaphragm pump. An outlet manifold may be in fluid communicationwith the first outlet port of the first diaphragm pump and the secondoutlet port of the second diaphragm pump. A first valve assembly may bein fluid communication with the first reservoir and the inlet and outletmanifold. A second valve assembly may be in fluid communication with thesecond reservoir and the outlet and inlet manifold.

In another general aspect of various embodiments of the presentinvention there is provided a pumping system for pumping shear-sensitivefluids between first and second reservoirs. In various embodiments, thepumping system may include a portable platform that has first and secondfluid-operated double diaphragm pumps thereon. The first doublediaphragm pump may have a first inlet port and a first outlet port andthe second fluid operated double diaphragm pump may have a second inletport and a second outlet port. An inlet manifold may be in fluidcommunication with the first inlet port of the first fluid operateddouble diaphragm pump and the second inlet port of the second fluidoperated double diaphragm pump. An outlet manifold may be in fluidcommunication with the first outlet port of the first fluid operateddouble diaphragm pump and the second outlet port of the second fluidoperated double diaphragm pump. A first valve may be in fluidcommunication with the first reservoir and the inlet and outletmanifolds. A second valve may be in fluid communication with the secondreservoir and the inlet and outlet manifolds. A pulse dampener may be influid communication with the outlet manifold.

In still another general aspect of various embodiments of the presentinvention there is provided a pumping system for pumping shear-sensitivefluids. In various embodiments, the pumping system may include aplatform that supports at least one diaphragm pump thereon. Thediaphragm pump may have an inlet port and an outlet port. A suctionassembly may be in fluid communication with the inlet port and adischarge assembly may be in fluid communication with the outlet port,the discharge assembly may have a discharge hose with a hand activateddispensing nozzle operably coupled thereto.

In another general aspect of various embodiments of the presentinvention there is provided a pumping system that may include a wheeledplatform that has at least one air operated diaphragm pump supportedthereon that has an inlet and an outlet port. A blower assembly may beoperably supported on the wheeled platform and be configured to supplyair to the at least one air operated diaphragm pump. A pulsationdampener may be in fluid communication with the outlet port. A dischargehose may be operably coupled to the pulsation dampener for fluidcommunication therewith. A hand activated dispensing nozzle may becoupled to the discharge hose.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall bemade apparent from the accompanying drawings and the descriptionthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention,and, together with the general description of the invention given above,and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain various principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a pumping system embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the pumping system embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the pumping system embodimentof FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded assembly view of the pumping system embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of the pumping system embodiment of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of another pumping system embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of the pumping system embodimentof FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the pumping system embodiment ofFIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a is an enlarged view of a flow control valve of the pumpingsystem embodiment depicted in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of the pumping system embodiment ofFIGS. 6-9; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic of the pumping system embodiment of FIGS. 61-0.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to the Drawings, wherein like numerals denote like componentsthroughout the several views, FIGS. 1-4 depict a pumping system 10 whichis capable of practicing various unique benefits of the presentinvention. While the pumping system 10 and the other pumping systemembodiments disclosed herein are particularly well-suited for use inconnection with shear-sensitive fluids such as beverages and otheringestible fluids, their uses should not be so limited. For example, thevarious pumping systems disclosed herein may find utility in pumping anytype of fluid material wherein it is desirable to avoid the shearingactions encountered when using other types of conventional pumps andarrangements. Thus, as used herein, the term “shear-sensitive fluid” notonly encompasses any ingestible fluids/beverages, such as, for example,wine, beer, milk, juices, fruit drinks, soft drinks, flavored drinks,sports drinks, etc. wherein one or more properties such as taste,consistency, etc. may be altered, but also encompasses other fluidswherein one or more properties may be detrimentally altered or affectedwhen encountering the shearing action associated with conventionalpiston and impeller-type pumps.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the pumping system 10 may include aplatform 20 that may be fabricated from any suitable material. Forexample, the platform 20 may be fabricated from metal such as steel,stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, etc. In other embodiments, theplatform 20 may be fabricated from polymer materials such as polyvinylchloride “PVC” or the like. In various embodiments, the platform 20 maybe mounted on wheels 22 or a combination of wheels and skid plates (notshown) and have a vertically extending handle assembly 30 to facilitatemanipulation of the platform 20. In other embodiments, the platform maycomprises a substantially permanent/non-movable structure.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a first diaphragm pump 40and a second diaphragm pump 50 are employed. In various embodiments, thefirst diaphragm pump 40 and the second diaphragm pump 50 may eachcomprise an air-actuated double diaphragm pump of the type disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,962,487 to Caldwell, or U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,234 toVersaw et al., the disclosures of which are herein incorporated byreference in their entireties. However, other known double diaphragmpumps or single diaphragm pumps and other quantities of such pumps maybe employed as will be discussed in further detail below. In theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4, the first diaphragm pump 40 has a“first” inlet port 42 and a “first” outlet port 44. Similarly, thesecond diaphragm pump 50 has a “second” inlet port 52 and a “second”outlet port 54.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first inlet port 42 and the secondinlet port 52 are fluidically coupled together by an inlet manifold 110to form a common inlet port 112. As used herein the term “fluidicallycoupled” means that the elements are coupled together with anappropriate pipe, conduit, tubing, pipe fittings or other means topermit the passage of fluid therebetween. As used herein, the term“line” refers to an appropriate passage formed from rigid or flexibleconduit, pipe, tubing, etc. for transporting fluid between elements ofthe systems disclosed herein. The term “fluid communication” as usedherein in a manner such as, for example, “a first element is in fluidcommunication with a second element” means that the first element isfluidically coupled to the second element or is otherwise orientedrelative thereto to receive fluid therefrom or to discharge fluidtherein.

Also in various embodiments, the first outlet port 44 and the secondoutlet port 54 may be fluidically coupled to a pulsation dampenerassembly 60. The pulsation dampener assembly 60 may include aconventional dampener 62 such as that dampener manufactured byVersa-Matic Pump Company of Export, Pa. under Model No. VTA2N1A.However, other conventional pulsation dampeners may be employed withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thedampener 62 may be fluidically coupled to the first and second outletports 44, 54 by a dampener manifold 70. As can be seen in FIG. 4, thedampener manifold 70 has a first dampener inlet port 72 that is coupledto the first outlet port 44 and the dampener manifold 70 has a seconddampener inlet port 74 that is coupled to the second outlet port 54 ofthe second diaphragm pump 50. In addition, the dampener manifold 70 hasan outlet port 76 that serves as the common outlet for the first andsecond pumps 40, 50. The person of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that the dampener 62 will serve to reduce or minimizepulsation of the fluid as it is pumped by the pumps 40, 50.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-5, the common outlet port 76 iscoupled to a valve manifold assembly 80. In various embodiments, thevalve manifold assembly 80 may include a first valve assembly 90 and asecond valve assembly 100. The first valve assembly 90 may comprise aconventional three-way valve 92 of the type, for example, manufacturedby QSM, Inc. of Easley, S.C. under Model No. Tru-Flo Valve No.TF-3308-SN-CV-T-1.0. However other valve arrangements could be employed.Similarly, the second valve assembly 100 may comprise a second three wayvalve 102 of similar construction as the first three way valve 92. Thefirst three way valve 92 may have a first valve port 94, a second valveport 96, and a third valve port 98. Similarly, the second three-wayvalve 102 may have a first valve port 104, a second valve port 106, anda third valve port 108. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-5, thecommon inlet port 112 is coupled to an inlet pipe assembly 120 that isfluidically coupled to the ports 94, 104. Similarly, the common outletport 76 may be fluidically coupled to an outlet pipe assembly 130 thatis fluidically coupled to ports 96, 106.

The third valve port 98 of the first three-way valve 92 may befluidically coupled to a first line 140 that is fluidically coupled toor is otherwise arranged to discharge the shear-sensitive fluid into orto draw the shear-sensitive fluid out of a first reservoir 150. As usedherein, the term “reservoir” may mean any permanent or portable tank orstorage vessel including tanks that are mounted on vehicles. Similarly,the third valve port 108 of the second three way valve 102 may befluidically coupled to a second line 142 that is fluidically coupled toor is otherwise arranged to discharge the shear-sensitive fluid into orto draw the shear-sensitive fluid out of a second reservoir 160. SeeFIG. 5. The first and second lines 140, 142 may comprise, for example,flexible pipe or rigid pipe. The lines 140, 142 may each be equippedwith one or more conventional quick disconnect fittings to facilitateeasy attachment and detachment between the pumping system 10 and thereservoirs 150, 160. In other embodiments, however, the pipelines may becoupled with other more permanent fitting arrangements.

In various embodiments, the first valve assembly 90 may have a “first”actuator 93 thereon that, when actuated, can move a flow control member(not shown) therein to form a fluid path between ports 94 and 98 orbetween ports 96 and 98. Similarly, the second valve assembly 100 mayhave a “second” actuator 103 thereon that, when actuated, can move aflow control member (not shown) therein to form a fluid path betweenports 104 and 108 or between ports 106 and 108. In one embodiment forexample, the first actuator 93 and the second actuator 103 may bemechanically linked by an actuator handle 170 such that the user maysimply pivot the actuator handle 170 between one position wherein thefirst valve assembly 90 creates a flow path between ports 98, and 94 andthe second valve assembly 100 creates a flow path between ports 106 and108 and a second position wherein the first valve assembly 90 creates aflow path between ports 96 and 98 and the second valve assembly 100creates a flow path between ports 108 and 104. However, other actuationarrangements may be employed.

As indicated above, the first and second pumps 40, 50 may each compriseair actuated double diaphragm pumps. In the embodiments employing thosetypes of pumps, an air manifold assembly 180 may be coupled tocorresponding control ports in the first and second pumps 40, 50 andalso have an attachment port 182 that can be coupled to a source ofcontrol air 190 or other actuation fluid. The source of control air 190may comprise a permanent compressed air system or air supply (“shopair”) located in the facility apart from the platform 20. In thosecases, an airline arrangement with one or more conventional quickdisconnect fittings attached thereto may be employed to fluidicallycouple the air manifold assembly 180 to the source of air 190. Othersources of air such as blowers, compressors, etc. may be employed.

Use of the pumping system 10 will now be explained with particularreference to FIG. 5. As indicated above, the first and second reservoirs150, 160 may comprise a variety of different tanks/receptacles,including vehicle mounted tanks. Assuming for this example, that thefirst reservoir 150 comprises a substantially nonmovable tank thatcontains shear-sensitive fluid that must be pumped therefrom into thesecond reservoir 160 which may comprise, for example, a tanker truck. Tocommence the pumping process, the user would position the platform 20 ina location that would facilitate fluid communication between the pumpingsystem 10 and the reservoirs 150, 160. For example, the platform 20would be positioned to permit the source 190 of actuation air or fluidto be coupled to the air manifold assembly 180 and also permit thepipeline 140 to be fluidically coupled between the first reservoir 150and the port 98 in the first valve assembly 90 and the second pipeline142 to be fluidically coupled between the second reservoir 160 and theport 108 on the second valve assembly 100.

After the user has coupled the air manifold 180 to the source 190 ofactuation air or other fluid and has also fluidically coupled pipeline140 to port 98 and first receptacle 150 as well as coupled the pipeline142 to the port 108 and the second receptacle 160, the user may thenmove the actuator handle 170 to the first position. When in thatposition, the flow control member in the first valve assembly 90establishes a flow path between the port 98 and the port 94 and the flowcontrol member in the second valve assembly 100 establishes a flow pathbetween the ports 106 and 108. Such positioning of the flow controlmembers of the first and second valve assemblies 90, 100 enable thefirst and second pumps 40, 50 to draw the shear-sensitive fluid from thefirst receptacle 150. As the first and second pumps 40, 50 are operated,the shear-sensitive fluid is drawn out of the first receptacle 150through pipeline 140 into port 98 in the first valve assembly 90. Theshear-sensitive fluid passes through port 94 in the first valve assembly90 into the inlet pipe assembly 120 into the common inlet port 112 inthe manifold assembly 110 and into inlet ports 42, and 52 in the firstand second pumps 40, 50, respectively. The shear-sensitive fluid ispumped out of the outlet ports 44, 54 in the first and second pumps 40,50, respectively, into the dampener manifold 70 and out through thecommon outlet port 76 into the outlet pipe assembly 130. Theshear-sensitive fluid passes through the outlet pipe assembly 130 intothe ports 96 and 106 in the valve assemblies 90, 100, respectively.Because of the position of the flow control member in the first valveassembly 90, port 96 is closed. Thus, the shear-sensitive fluid flowsthrough the ports 106 and 108 in the second valve assembly 100 into line142 and is ultimately discharged into the second receptacle 160.

If during the pumping process, the user discovers that too much of theshear-sensitive fluid has been pumped from the first receptacle 150 intothe second receptacle 160, the user simply can move the actuator handle170 to the second position. When in that position, the flow controlmember in the second valve assembly 100 establishes a flow path betweenports 108 and 104 and the flow control member in the first valveassembly 100 establishes a flow path between ports 98 and 96. When theflow control members are in those second positions, the shear-sensitivefluid is drawn from the second reservoir 160 through pipeline 142 intothe port 108 in the second valve assembly 100. The shear-sensitive fluidpasses through port 104 in the second valve assembly 100 into the inletpipe assembly 120. The fluid then passes into the common inlet port 112in the manifold assembly 110 and into inlet ports 42, and 52 in thefirst and second pumps 40, 50, respectively. The shear-sensitive fluidis pumped out of the outlet ports 44, 54 in the first and second pumps40, 50, respectively, into the dampener manifold 70 and out through thecommon outlet port 76 into the outlet pipe assembly 130. Theshear-sensitive fluid passes through the outlet pipe assembly 130 intothe ports 96 and 106 in the valve assemblies 90, 100, respectively. Port106 is closed, so the fluid passes out through port 98 in the firstvalve assembly 90 through pipeline 140 into the first receptacle 150.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that thepumping system 10 of the present invention represents a vast improvementover prior pumping arrangements used to pump shear-sensitive fluids. Thediaphragm pumps employed thereby avoid the application of shear forcesto the fluid that are often encountered when using other conventionalpumps. In addition, the platform arrangement enables the user to movethe system to convenient locations adjacent receptacles. Also, in theevent that too much fluid has been transferred from one receptacle intothe other receptacle, fluid may easily be pumped out of the overfilledreceptacle back into the first receptacle simply by actuating the valvesin the proper positions. Such arrangement avoids the spillage commonlyassociated when using prior hand pump arrangements.

While the embodiment of the pumping system 10 described above employstwo double diaphragm pumps to pump a desired volume ofshear-sensitive-fluid, the person of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that only one double diaphragm pump need be employed or, ifdesired, more than two double diaphragm pumps could conceivably beemployed. Thus, the protection afforded to such embodiments should notbe limited to use of two double diaphragm pumps. It will be furtherappreciated that, one convention single diaphragm pump or multiplesingle diaphragm pumps may be employed instead of double diaphragmpumps.

FIGS. 6-11 illustrate another pumping system 210 of the presentinvention. In various embodiments, the pumping system 210 may include awheeled platform or dolly 220 that may be fabricated from any suitablematerial. For example, the wheeled platform 220 may be fabricated frommetal such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, etc. In otherembodiments, the wheeled platform 220 may be fabricated from polymermaterials such as polyvinyl chloride “PVC” or the like. In variousembodiments, the wheeled platform 220 may include a base portion 222that has a vertically extending handle assembly 230 attached thereto.Wheels 224 are attached to the base portion 222 to enable the platform220 to be easily moved/positioned by the user.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-11, only one double diaphragmpump 240 is employed. In various embodiments, the diaphragm pump 240 maycomprise an air-actuated double diaphragm pump of the type disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,962,487 to Caldwell, or U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,234 toVersaw et al., the disclosures of which were previously hereinincorporated by reference. However, other known double diaphragm pumpsor single diaphragm pumps and other quantities of such pumps may beemployed as will be discussed in further detail below. In the embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 6-11, the diaphragm pump 240 has an inlet port 242 andan outlet port 244. A suction assembly 250 is coupled to the inlet port242 and may comprise a flexible hose 252 that is configured to beoperably placed in fluid communication with or fluidically coupled to afirst reservoir 150. See FIG. 11. The outlet port 244 is coupled to adischarge assembly 260.

In various embodiments, the discharge assembly 260 may include aconventional pulsation dampener 270, a discharge hose 280 and a handactivated dispensing nozzle 290. The hand activated dispensing nozzle290 may comprise a conventional nozzle of the type commonly employed ongasoline pumps. However, the dispensing nozzle may be fitted with theseals and components that are compatible with the type of fluids beingdischarged therethrough.

The diaphragm pump 240 may be air powered by a source of air 300 whichmay comprise, for example, a portable blower 302 also supported on thebase portion 222 of the wheeled platform 220. The blower 302 maydischarge the air through an air supply line 306 that is fluidicallycoupled to another supply line 307 that is operably coupled to thediaphragm pump 240. The air supply line 307 may have a flow controlvalve 308 mounted therein for controlling the flow of air to the pump240 to enable the user to control the fluid pumping rate. See FIGS. 8and 9. In various embodiments, the vertical handle assembly may also beprovided with hooks 232 or other arrangements to support the suctionhose 252 and discharge hose 280 thereon.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that thepumping system 10 of the present invention represents a vast improvementover prior pumping arrangements used to pump shear-sensitive fluids. Thediaphragm pumps employed thereby avoid the application of shear forcesto the fluid that are often encountered when using other conventionalpumps. In addition, the platform arrangement enables the user to movethe system to convenient locations adjacent receptacles. The system mayalso be quickly and easily reversed in the event that too much fluid hasbeen transferred from one receptacle into the other receptacle thusavoiding spillage commonly associated when using prior hand pumparrangements.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, itshould be apparent, however, that various modifications, alterations andadaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the artwith the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the invention.For example, according to various embodiments, a single component may bereplaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replacedby a single component, to perform a given function or functions. Thisapplication is therefore intended to cover all such modifications,alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spiritof the disclosed invention as defined by the appended claims.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or inpart, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein isincorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materialsdoes not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or otherdisclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to theextent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth hereinsupersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference.Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated byreference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions,statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only beincorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between thatincorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

The invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construedas limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. The embodiments aretherefore to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from thespirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intendedthat all such equivalents, variations and changes which fall within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims beembraced thereby.

1. A pumping system for pumping shear-sensitive fluids between first andsecond reservoirs, said pumping system comprising: a platform; at leastone diaphragm pump having an inlet port and an outlet port and beingoperably supported on said platform; and at least one valve assembly influid communication with said inlet and outlet ports and said first andsecond reservoirs such that when the valve assembly is actuated into afirst position, the shear-sensitive fluid may be pumped by the at leastone diaphragm pump from the first reservoir into the second reservoirand when said valve assembly is actuated into a second position, theshear-sensitive fluid may be pumped from the second reservoir into thefirst reservoir.
 2. The pumping system of claim 1 wherein said at leastone diaphragm pump is a double diaphragm pump.
 3. The pumping system ofclaim 1 wherein said platform is portable.
 4. A pumping system of claim1 further comprising a pulsation dampener assembly in fluidcommunication with said outlet port of said at least one diaphragm pump.5. The pumping system of claim 1 wherein said at least one diaphragmpump is operated by a source of air.
 6. The pumping system of claim 5wherein said source of air comprises a blower supported on saidplatform.
 7. The pumping system of claim 5 wherein said source of aircomprises a compressed air system located apart from said platform. 8.The pumping system of claim 1 wherein said platform comprises a wheeledplatform.
 9. The pumping system of claim 1 wherein the shear-sensitivefluid is selected form the group of shear-sensitive fluids consisting ofwine, beer, milk, fruit juice, soft drinks, flavored drinks, fruitdrinks and sports drinks.
 10. A pumping system for pumpingshear-sensitive fluids between first and second reservoirs, said pumpingsystem, comprising: a platform; a first diaphragm pump having a firstinlet port and a first outlet port, said first diaphragm pump supportedon said platform; a second diaphragm pump having a second inlet port anda second outlet port, said second diaphragm pump supported on saidplatform; an inlet manifold in fluid communication with said first inletport of said first diaphragm pump and said second inlet port of saidsecond diaphragm pump; an outlet manifold in fluid communication withsaid first outlet port of said first diaphragm pump and said secondoutlet port of said second diaphragm pump; a first valve assembly influid communication with said first reservoir and said inlet and outletmanifold; and a second valve assembly in fluid communication with thesecond reservoir and said outlet and inlet manifold.
 11. The pumpingsystem of claim 10 wherein said first valve assembly comprises a firstthree way valve and said second valve assembly comprises a second threeway valve.
 12. The pumping system of claim 10 wherein said first andsecond diaphragm pumps are double diaphragm pumps.
 13. The pumpingsystem of claim 10 wherein said platform is portable.
 14. The pumpingsystem of claim 11 wherein said first three way valve has a firstactuator and wherein said second three way valve has a second actuatorand wherein said first and second actuators are operably connectedtogether.
 15. A pumping system of claim 10 further comprising apulsation dampener assembly in fluid communication with said firstoutlet port of said first diaphragm pump and said second outlet port insaid second diaphragm pump and said outlet manifold.
 16. The pumpingsystem of claim 10 wherein said first and second diaphragm pumps areoperated by a source of air.
 17. The pumping system of claim 16 whereinsaid source of air comprises a blower supported on said platform. 18.The pumping system of claim 10 wherein said platform comprises a wheeledplatform.
 19. The pumping system of claim 16 wherein said source of aircomprises a compressed air system located apart from said platform. 20.The pumping system of claim 10 wherein the shear-sensitive fluid isselected form the group of shear-sensitive fluids consisting of wine,beer, milk, fruit juice, soft drinks, flavored drinks, fruit drinks andsports drinks.
 21. A pumping system for pumping shear-sensitive fluidsbetween first and second reservoirs, comprising: a portable platform; afirst fluid-operated double diaphragm pump having a first inlet port anda first outlet port, said first fluid-operated double diaphragm pumpoperably supported on said portable platform; a second fluid operateddouble-diaphragm pump having a second inlet port and a second outletport, said second fluid-operated double diaphragm pump supported on saidportable platform; an inlet manifold in fluid communication with saidfirst inlet port of said first fluid operated double diaphragm pump andsaid second inlet port of said second fluid operated double diaphragmpump; an outlet manifold in fluid communication with said first outletport of said first fluid operated double diaphragm pump and said secondoutlet port of said second fluid operated double diaphragm pump; a firstvalve in fluid communication with the first reservoir and said inlet andoutlet manifolds; a second valve in fluid communication with the secondreservoir and said inlet and outlet manifolds; and a pulse dampener influid communication with said outlet manifold.
 22. A pumping system forpumping shear-sensitive fluids, said pumping system comprising: aplatform; at least one diaphragm pump supported on said platform, saiddiaphragm pump having an inlet port and an outlet port; a suctionassembly in fluid communication with said inlet port; and a dischargeassembly in fluid communication with said outlet port, said dischargeassembly having a discharge hose with a hand activated dispensing nozzleoperably coupled thereto.
 23. The pumping system of claim 22 whereinsaid discharge assembly further comprises a pulsation dampener.
 24. Thepumping system of claim 22 wherein said diaphragm pump is a doublediaphragm pump.
 25. The pumping system of claim 24 wherein saiddiaphragm pump is operated by a source of air supported on saidplatform.
 26. The pumping system of claim 25 wherein said source of aircomprises a blower supported on said platform.
 27. The pumping system ofclaim 24 wherein said diaphragm pump is operated by a compressed airsystem located apart from said platform.
 28. The pumping system of claim22 wherein said platform comprises a wheeled platform.
 29. The pumpingsystem of claim 28 wherein said wheeled platform comprises: a baseportion; a vertical handle assembly; and at least two wheels situatedadjacent a juncture between said base portion and said vertical handleassembly.
 30. The pumping system of claim 29 further comprising at leastone first hook on said vertical handle assembly for receiving at least aportion of at least one of said suction assembly and said dischargeassembly thereon.
 31. A pumping system comprising: a wheeled platform;at least one air operated diaphragm pump having an inlet and an outletport and being supported on said wheeled platform; a blower assemblyoperably supported on said wheeled platform and configured to supply airto said at least one air operated diaphragm pump; a pulsation dampenerin fluid communication with said outlet port; a discharge hose coupledto said pulsation dampener for fluid communication therewith; and a handactivated dispensing nozzle coupled to said discharge hose.
 32. A methodfor pumping shear-sensitive fluid between two reservoirs, said methodcomprising: providing a pumping system according to claim 10;fluidically coupling said first valve assembly to said first reservoir;fluidically coupling said second valve assembly to said secondreservoir; actuating said first valve assembly to a first position topermit the shear-sensitive fluid to flow from the first reservoirtherethrough into the inlet manifold; actuating said second valveassembly to a first position to permit the shear-sensitive fluid in thefirst reservoir to flow into the second reservoir; and activating saidfirst and second diaphragm pumps to cause the shear-sensitive fluid tobe drawn from the first reservoir and pumped into the second reservoir.33. The method of claim 32 further comprising: deactivating the firstand second diaphragm pumps; actuating the second valve assembly topermit the shear-sensitive fluid in the second reservoir to flow fromthe second reservoir through the second valve assembly into the inletmanifold; actuating the first valve assembly to permit theshear-sensitive fluid to be pumped into the first reservoir;reactivating the first and second diaphragm pumps to pump theshear-sensitive fluid from the second reservoir back into the firstreservoir.
 34. A method for pumping shear-sensitive fluid between tworeservoirs, said method comprising: providing a pumping system accordingto claim 21; placing said suction assembly in fluid communication with afirst reservoir; orienting the hand activated dispensing nozzle fordischarge into a second reservoir; activating the diaphragm pump; andactivating the hand activated nozzle to discharge the shear sensitivefluid being pumped from the first reservoir into the second reservoir.